The Biggest Stock Holdings of Berkshire Hathaway

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Originally founded as a textile manufacturing company in 1839, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is now the fifth largest public company in the world with a market cap of $327.8 billion. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, the American multinational conglomerate company currently owns over 80 well-known and highly successful businesses both wholly and partially. Known most famously for billionaire CEO and primary shareholder Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway has shifted focus in recent years from long-term stock investments to buying whole companies. Read on to see Berkshire Hathaway’s five biggest stock holdings arranged by holding value.

5. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. – $4.46 billion

With only a 1.8 percent stake in the company, Berkshire Hathaway increased its holdings of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. by 17 percent during the first quarter of 2014. Founded in 1962, the discount department and warehouse retail store chain is the largest public corporation, retailer and private employer in the world.

4. International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) – $12.75 billion

Berkshire Hathaway currently has a 6.5 percent stake and over 68 million shares in the International Business Machines Corporation, better known as IBM. A multinational technology and consulting corporation founded in 1911, IBM is one of the largest U.S. firms in terms of number of employees, market cap, profit, and revenue.

3. American Express Company – $13.28 billion

Accounting for just under one-fourth of the total dollar volume of credit card transactions in the United States, AmEx was ranked one of the most valuable brands in the world by BusinessWeek and Interbrand in 2011. Berkshire Hathaway has a 14.3 percent stake in the company and controls over 150 million shares.

2. Coca-Cola – $16.21 billion

One of the biggest and most-recognizable brand names on the planet, Coca-Cola, introduced in 1886, was voted the world’s most valuable brand by Interbrand’s best global brand study of 2011. With a 9.1 percent stake in the company and 400 million shares, Berkshire Hathaway holds a large stake in the world’s dominating soft-drink company.

1. Wells Fargo & Company – $22.72 billion

Berkshire Hathaway’s biggest stock holding goes to Wells Fargo & Company, the American multinational banking and financial services holding company. The fourth largest bank in the United States and the largest bank by market capitalization ($260 billion), Berkshire Hathaway holds an 8.8 percent stake in the company and over 400 million shares.

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Written by Derrick Krom

Derrick is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia where he received a B.A. in English and Communication Studies. Throughout his life, Derrick has traveled the country and even got to study abroad in London, England for four amazing months. He's a guitar player, avid music fan and lover of literature, film, and all things entertainment.